The United States in WW2: Mobilizing for Defense Chapter 17, Section 1 Notes

Objectives: Explain how the US expanded its armed forces in WW2 Describe the wartime mobilization of industry, labor, scientists, and the media Trace the efforts of the US govt. to control the economy and deal with subversion

Americans Join the War Effort After Pearl Harbor, Americans jammed recruiting offices Remember Pearl Harbor! 5 million volunteers Selective Service System Expanded the draft 10 million more soldiers to meet demand Eight weeks of training

Expanding the Military Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) Created by Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall Women volunteers serve in non-combat positions Nurses, ambulance drivers, radio operators, electricians, and pilots 350,000 women served

Diversity in the Armed Forces Despite racial tension, minorities made dramatic contributions to armed forces Mexican-, African-, Asian-, and Native 1 million African Americans served Served in segregated units, limited to noncombat roles until 1943

A Production Miracle Automobile plants… Produced tanks, planes, boats, and command cars. End of private automobile production Factories now for war production Production occurred at record breaking speeds Henry Kaiser produced Liberty ships in 40 days Using “prefab” parts

The Building of Liberty Ships

Labor’s Contribution Despite the draft, nearly 18 million workers were laboring in war industries 6 million of these workers were women Earned less and could operate machines “Rosie the Riveter” campaign Encourage women to join workforce

Women in WWII

Labor’s Contribution Defense plants also hired minorities Faced strong prejudice at first African-American Labor Leader A. Philip Randolph proposed a march on Washington to fight discrimination FDR issued an executive order calling on employers to hire w/o discrimination

Mobilization of Scientists FDR creates Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) Bring scientists into the war effort Improvements in radar, sonar Miracle Drugs like penicillin Secret development of the atomic bomb The Manhattan Project – code name

Economic Controls FDR created the Office of Price Admin. Fought inflation by freezing prices Raised the income tax Up to 88% in the highest bracket! War Production Board Allocated raw materials collected scrap iron, tin cans, and paper to recycle into war goods

Rationing Rationing establishing fixed allotments of goods deemed essential for the military Homes received ration books with coupons to buy goods Meat, shoes, sugar, coffee, and gas Americans accepted rationing-personal contribution to war effort Workers carpooled or rode bicycles

DISCRIMINATION AND RACISM DURING AND AFTER WAR

AFRICAN AMERICANS Defended their nation by joining the military and defense industries Founded CORE-Congress of Racial Equality Staged sit-ins and improved race relations

MEXICAN AMERICANS Defended their nation by joining the military Zoot Suit Rebellion against tradition

Zoot Suit

JAPANESE AMERICANS Defended their nation by joining the military Fought against relocation Founded the Japanese Americans Citizens League (JACL) Sought compensation for those forced in internment camps

Japanese Internment War relocation Authority Camps located in western states Also relocation camps for German Americans and Italian Americans. 1944 Supreme Court upheld constitutionality

Japanese Internment Camp

WWII: A Time for Advancement; A Time for Discrimination All minority groups played a critical role in WWII It was a stepping stone for modern day civil rights It was also a time of extreme discrimination Segregation, Pay inequalities, Internment camps.

Check For Understanding Preparation for War, 1941-1942